OPERATION: Y
“We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities,” touts the YMCA of the USA. It seems that one area they have overlooked in this goal is to ensure that breastfeeding children and mothers are welcomed, accommodated and treated with respect. In the past few months, there have been numerous incidents of breastfeeding discrimination reported at YMCA facilities in the US.
“YMCAs are working to combat rising levels of obesity and promote healthy living for millions of Americans through YMCA Activate America®. Three-fifths of YMCAs (1,525) have committed to this bold approach to directly address the nation’s growing health crisis by engaging communities across the country to support people of all ages in their pursuit of well-being in spirit, mind and body.” This is a statement from www.ymca.net, the homepage for YMCA of the USA. The YMCA should not forget that children who are not breastfed are at greater risk for becoming obese, and developing diabetes and asthma. Supporting mothers in breastfeeding their children may be the first and most effective way to support well-being in individuals and communities.
The YMCA of the USA states “because all communities have different needs, all YMCAs are different; they are autonomous and separate from the YMCA of the USA. They are required by the national constitution to pay annual dues, to refrain from discrimination and to support the YMCA mission. All other decisions are local choices, including programs offered, staffing and style of operation.” It is clear that YMCA of the USA needs to be educated about what constitutes discrimination against a breastfeeding child and mother and be made aware that there is a problem within their organization.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is this:
Please call your local YMCA (find the nearest facility at http://www.ymca.net/maps/ ) to inquire whether they have a policy about women breastfeeding their children in their facility. If you feel comfortable, ask what the procedure is if a patron should complain about a mother breastfeeding.
If possible, please obtain the name of the person you spoke with and the name of the membership director or manager.
Please e-mail the following information to operationy@firstright.org: The state, location name (with address if possible), and phone number of the YMCA you contacted, the name of the person you spoke with and the membership director or manager of the facility, the response you received, the date and approximate time that you called, your name and email (and phone number, if you feel comfortable. We will never share or sell your information.)
This is strictly an information-gathering mission. Do not feel you need to engage the YMCA representative in a debate about breastfeeding rights… we simply want to know how widespread the problem is.
At FirstRight we feel strongly that wherever there is an absence of a breastfeeding-friendly policy and employee education, there is a potential for an incident of discrimination. We hope to help the YMCA achieve their goal of building strong kids, families, and communities by becoming supporters of breastfeeding children and mothers. Please call your local Y today!
Also, if you have ever experienced discrimination for breastfeeding at a YMCA facility, please submit an incident report by filling out FirstRight's online discrimination form at www.firstright.org/reportdiscrimination. Even if you do not wish to take action regarding the incident, we would like to gain an understanding of how many moms have faced problems at YMCA facilities.
“We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities,” touts the YMCA of the USA. It seems that one area they have overlooked in this goal is to ensure that breastfeeding children and mothers are welcomed, accommodated and treated with respect. In the past few months, there have been numerous incidents of breastfeeding discrimination reported at YMCA facilities in the US.
“YMCAs are working to combat rising levels of obesity and promote healthy living for millions of Americans through YMCA Activate America®. Three-fifths of YMCAs (1,525) have committed to this bold approach to directly address the nation’s growing health crisis by engaging communities across the country to support people of all ages in their pursuit of well-being in spirit, mind and body.” This is a statement from www.ymca.net, the homepage for YMCA of the USA. The YMCA should not forget that children who are not breastfed are at greater risk for becoming obese, and developing diabetes and asthma. Supporting mothers in breastfeeding their children may be the first and most effective way to support well-being in individuals and communities.
The YMCA of the USA states “because all communities have different needs, all YMCAs are different; they are autonomous and separate from the YMCA of the USA. They are required by the national constitution to pay annual dues, to refrain from discrimination and to support the YMCA mission. All other decisions are local choices, including programs offered, staffing and style of operation.” It is clear that YMCA of the USA needs to be educated about what constitutes discrimination against a breastfeeding child and mother and be made aware that there is a problem within their organization.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is this:
Please call your local YMCA (find the nearest facility at http://www.ymca.net/maps/ ) to inquire whether they have a policy about women breastfeeding their children in their facility. If you feel comfortable, ask what the procedure is if a patron should complain about a mother breastfeeding.
If possible, please obtain the name of the person you spoke with and the name of the membership director or manager.
Please e-mail the following information to operationy@firstright.org: The state, location name (with address if possible), and phone number of the YMCA you contacted, the name of the person you spoke with and the membership director or manager of the facility, the response you received, the date and approximate time that you called, your name and email (and phone number, if you feel comfortable. We will never share or sell your information.)
This is strictly an information-gathering mission. Do not feel you need to engage the YMCA representative in a debate about breastfeeding rights… we simply want to know how widespread the problem is.
At FirstRight we feel strongly that wherever there is an absence of a breastfeeding-friendly policy and employee education, there is a potential for an incident of discrimination. We hope to help the YMCA achieve their goal of building strong kids, families, and communities by becoming supporters of breastfeeding children and mothers. Please call your local Y today!
Also, if you have ever experienced discrimination for breastfeeding at a YMCA facility, please submit an incident report by filling out FirstRight's online discrimination form at www.firstright.org/reportdiscrimination. Even if you do not wish to take action regarding the incident, we would like to gain an understanding of how many moms have faced problems at YMCA facilities.
